Universal holding apparatus

ABSTRACT

We are presenting a new device for holding cigars, which can also be used for many other purposes. It has a very flexible design and can be converted for new applications very easily. It is very sturdy and durable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The people who play golf and smoke cigar usually complain about the lack of a place to hold their cigars, in a clean environment, away from the grass and the harmful pesticide applied to the grass.

In this disclosure, we present a new apparatus (Universal Holding Apparatus) for this exact purpose, which can be applied to many other applications, as well. It can hold large, medium, and small ring gauge size cigars. It is capable of 360 degree swivel for right or left hand use, or up or down wind position. Usually, it is made of stainless steel and brass (non-rusting) components. However, other materials can be used, as well. It is portable and durable (rugged design, lasting for years). It also includes water-resistant carrying pouch and stainless steel plug cutter.

A prototype has already been manufactured by the inventor, to test all the features for optimization. The product is called “Cigar Buddy™.” The design of our product is superior to anything that has already been suggested, designed, patented, or made.

Now, let's look at the prior art:

Hernlein, U.S. Pat. No. 5,605,226, is directed to a convenience caddy for a smoker's use, but it discusses a different design than the one taught here.

Javnozon, U.S. Pat. No. 5,816,262, is directed to divot tool cigar holder device, but it discusses a different design than the one taught here.

King, U.S. Pat. No. 5,842,481, is directed to portable cigar tray, but it discusses a different design than the one taught here.

Manderick, U.S. Pat. No. 6,102,047, is directed to a combination cigar punch, stand, and holder, but it discusses a different design than the one taught here.

Kontos, U.S. Pat. No. 6,161,550 is directed to a cigar holder with a cutter, but it discusses a different design than the one taught here.

Kontos, U.S. Pat. No. 6,386,204, is directed to a cigar holder with a cutter.

Parks et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,994,639, is directed to a golf divot tool and accessory.

DeMichele, U.S. Pat. No. 6,330,944, is directed to a multi-function golf bag.

The Grip Clip Cigar Holder and the Cigar Holder Golf Tee (as shown in one of the submitted references) also have different designs than the one taught here.

The Axel & Andy Cigar Protector (as shown in one of the submitted references) also has a different design than the one taught here.

The Stogie Vise (as shown in one of the submitted references) also has a different design than the one taught here. For example, Stogie Vise has a limitation to 4 locking positions in the horizontal plane. Consequently, after many uses, the lateral resistance may go away (due to the wear of the ball joint), and the clip does not stand up anymore, making it less sturdy than our design. In addition, the whole structure is made of 2 plates (connected together), instead of unitized stainless steel frame (6) (for our design/invention), making it less sturdy, compared to our design. Therefore, our design is different, superior, and more flexible than that of the Stogie Vise.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

We are presenting a new apparatus which can be used for many purposes. It has a very flexible design and can be converted for new applications very easily. It is very sturdy and durable.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows the front view of one of the embodiments.

FIG. 2 shows the side view of one of the embodiments (same as FIG. 1).

FIG. 3 shows the front and side views of the components of one of the embodiments (same as FIG. 1).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

This product can be used for golf carts, boats, chairs, patios, workshops, decks, railings, and on any other movable or stationary objects. In one embodiment, it can hold 3 different ring gauge sizes of cigars: cigarillos, medium, and up to large ring gauge stogies. It can also be modified for other applications. For example, the cigar holder (cigar clip) (part number 3 in the figures) can be changed slightly to hold flashlights, with the cross section of the clip being circular for conventional flashlights (with cylindrical handles), or the cross section of the clip being elliptical for more flexibility, to hold the different sizes of the flashlights.

Furthermore, one can stack the different shape of the holders in parallel or on top of each other, so that multiple objects can be attached on the same apparatus. For example, a cigar and a flashlight can be simultaneously attached to the apparatus, in parallel, or on top of each other, on any order, based on the shape of the clips (holders) (part number 3 in the figures). This makes the device truly universal for most applications.

It can also be used for pen flashlights, working in dark areas, replacing flat tires in the highway, barbeque, toothpaste holder, toothbrush holder, small vise, fixing/attaching two objects by glue, and for underwater operations, to hold the objects close to the user.

In addition, the clip (3) can be used as a hook, to hang different objects to it, such as key chains or ID badges. In another embodiment, a hook can also be added to the clip (3). Furthermore, the clip can be made of magnetic material to hold the magnetic objects. Alternatively, the clip can be made of the elastic material for the maximum flexibility for the operational challenges.

In another embodiment, the clip can be made of smaller parts, sliding on top of each other, to adjust the size and the length of the clip, and be secured in the ideal position by a small screw or a pin.

In another embodiment, the clip has smaller components, hinged together, and thus, can be folded down, to reduce the size, or change the overall shape of the clip, to be used for different applications.

Different clips can be sold separately or together, for maximum benefit to the user. This makes it more cost-effective for different applications. In addition, in case of a damaged clip, one has to only change the clip part of the apparatus, saving money in this process.

Now, let's look at one of the embodiments in more details (as an example). FIG. 1 shows the front view of one of the embodiments. FIG. 2 shows the side view of one of the embodiments (same as FIG. 1). FIG. 3 shows the front and side views of the components of one of the embodiments (same as FIG. 1). Note that all the numbers mentioned below refer to the part numbers in those figures.

The cigar clip (holder) (3) can rotate 360 degrees horizontally, and about 270 degrees vertically. The universal joint used in the structure makes it very flexible for many purposes: It can go under the table, and it can assume many different positions.

The post (5) under the cigar clip (3) is held to the universal joint (4) by riveting the end (spread tip) of the post (9) on the inside of the hole in the top of the drum (12). Note that there is a hole going into the drum (12) from the bottom, inside the universal joint (4). The friction plate (13) (typically made of nylon) is set at one side of the drum, with a diameter slightly smaller than that of the drum.

Pressure washer (5) is a wavy structure (for its spring property). There is a notch in the movable clamp plate (to which brass bushing (8) is attached), to make it possible to pass (and avoid the collision with) the extension of the split ring (1).

The plates are usually padded (7). Rubber pads (7) (or similar soft material) can be attached to the plates, using a strong glue. The padded plates help the user to clamp the device on the side of upright posts of a golf cart (or a similar structure). The movable clamp plate is a little bit flexible and loose, for a better grip. A spring clip connects the movable clamp plate located behind the rubber pad (7) and bushing (8) to the threaded screw (10).

The brass screw and its head are made of one piece (10). The bushing (8) goes into the cavity of bushing (9), when screw (10) is turned out (to its limit), making the plates as wide open as possible, for attaching to a larger object. The two bushings (8) and (9) are pressure-fitted.

A split ring (spring clip) (1) is used to attach the plug cutter (2) to the structure (frame) (6). The plug cutter (2) is an optional feature here.

The cigar clip (3) and its post rotate as one unit (one piece). The post for the cigar clip (3) goes into the drum of the universal joint (4). The plug cutter (2) is made of molded plastic, with a circular cutter made of sharp stainless steel. There is a hole half-way along the length of the plug cutter (2), which is centered symmetrically with respect to the plug cutter.

The product has a zipper pouch (bag), made of water-resistant fabric. The bag has a spring clip, for attachment to the golf bag or similar objects.

The cigar clip (3), the moveable clamp plate (to which brass bushing (8) is attached), and the frame (6) are made of stainless steel, and the rest of the apparatus is made of brass.

Note that the use of the other materials, designs, applications, extensions, and their obvious variations are also intended for this and other embodiments of this invention.

The pin (14) at the center of drum (12) for the universal joint (4) does not move. This pin is riveted at the end (spread tip), to keep it in place. 

1. An apparatus for attaching a first object to a second object, said apparatus comprising: a clip, wherein said clip is holding said first object; and a clamp, wherein said clamp comprises 3 parallel plates, wherein said clip can rotate 360 degrees horizontally, with respect to said clamp, and wherein said clamp attaches said apparatus to said second object.
 2. A system for attaching a first object to a second object, said system comprising: a clip, wherein said clip is holding said first object; and a clamp, wherein said clamp comprises 3 parallel plates, wherein said clip can rotate 360 degrees horizontally, with respect to said clamp, and wherein said clamp attaches said system to said second object.
 3. A system for attaching a first object to a second object, said system comprising: a first subsystem, wherein said first subsystem is holding said first object; and a second subsystem, wherein said second subsystem comprises 3 parallel plates, wherein said first subsystem can rotate 360 degrees horizontally, with respect to said second subsystem, and wherein said second subsystem attaches said system to said second object.
 4. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said first object is a cigar.
 5. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said first object is a flashlight.
 6. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said clip is made of stainless steel.
 7. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said clamp is made of stainless steel.
 8. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said second object is a golf cart.
 9. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said second object is a table top.
 10. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said clip can hold cigars of different ring gauge sizes.
 11. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein one of said 3 parallel plates is a movable plate.
 12. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein one or more of said 3 parallel plates are padded with rubber or other soft material.
 13. An apparatus as recited in claim 11, wherein said movable plate is moved by a screw.
 14. An apparatus as recited in claim 13, wherein said screw is held in place by two bushings.
 15. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said clip is connected to other clips, stacked on top of one another, or positioned in parallel.
 16. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said apparatus further comprises a universal joint.
 17. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said clip is made of magnetic material.
 18. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said clip is made of elastic material.
 19. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said clip is changeable with clips made of other material or with different shapes.
 20. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said clip is foldable. 